Improvement in scrapers for lamp-black apparatus



P. NEFF. SCRAPERS FOR LAMP BLACK APPARATUS.

Patented April 25,1876.

IJV VEJV' TOR WITNESSES R. PETERS. PHOTD-LITHOGRAPHER. WASHINGTON. D C.

UNITED. STATES PATENT Qrrrea PETER NEFF, OF GAMBIER, OHIO.

IMPROVEMENT IN scRAPERs FOR LAMP-BLACK APPARATUS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. [76,478, dated April 25, 1876; application filed March 15, 1876.

To all whom it may concern Be it known that I, PETER NEFF, of Gambier, in the county of Knox and State of Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Manufacture of Lamp-Black; and I do hereby declare the following to be, a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it pertains to make and use it, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, which form part of this specification.

My invention relates to apparatus in the manufacture of lamp-black for removing the carbon from the depositing-surface; and consists' in spring-metal scrapers curving up-i ward from a rigid bearing, and provided with overlapping working extremities;

In the drawings, Figure 1 is a perspective, and Fig. 2 a cross-section of my improvement, in which A is any firm unyielding cross bar, attached to which, at their lower extremities, are any number of scrapers, B. These latter are constructed of elastic metal, slight and fine enough to impart a free elasticity, which shall be sufficient to cause the scraper to yield and bend backward and downward agreeably to pressure exerted thereon. These scrapers are first securely connected to the supportingbar A, and are then further supplemented in such attachment by a strip or binder, 0, running transversely over their immediate lower extremities, and firmly clamping them to the bar by screws, bolts, or other appropriate means. This cross-bar also serves the purpose of keeping the scrapers from rising too high, and by its engagement with same, either nearer to or farther from their base connections, it is apparent that it regulates and determines their adjustability. The supporting-bar A may fur her be provided with a strip or block of any nature, to prevent any tendency toward tilting or rocking, if desired. Proceeding from such connection, the scrapers curve upward and rearward in any suitable conformation and angular inclination, till they present an approximately-square working edge to the plane of the depositing-surface, so as to thoroughly clean same without any tendency toward rubbing over or polishing the carbon against such surface. The free and working extremities of the scrapers are provided with lateral flanges, which overlap one another and leave no possibility of any part of the depositing-plate not being swept or acted upon by the cleaning mechanism. Such overlapping flanges may be in one and the same piece or metallic strip as the curved bracing-support or body proper of the scraper, or the two may be in different and distinct pieces, as shown in the drawing.

It will be understood that any metallic composition, whether of the sam e or diiferin g character, may be used in the formation of the supporting-body of the scrapers and their overlapping parts, provided only that the same be both durable and flexible in fiber, so as to readily spring under applied force, and then, by a full reaction, resume its former shape and position. 1 have, however, usually employed metal of the same type for both, and prefer that kind used in the manufacture of watch-springs. This mechanism may be put in any suitable connection with the apparatus common to the art in question, as may be desirable. It may be secured through its supporting cross-bar to a traveling car running on ways beneath a depositing-surface, and in appropriate proximity to same, so that as the carriage traverses the scrapers may closely engage with such surface and clean it of all deposited matter. As they meet any obstruction or deformity, inequality, &e., they will automatically yield to same, and immediately upon passage will recover their original plane of level. But it is apparent that any other means may be employed for throwing the scrapers into active operation, since this forms no part of my improvement. It will also be observed that by varying the relative altitude of the several scrapers, I can cause them to conform to any style of surface to be cleaned, whether same be convex, cylindrical, concave, or otherwise, and I desire to be understood as not limiting myself to the special form shown in the drawings, since such a modification as the foregoing is immaterial to the spirit of my 7 invention. in the case of a depositing-surface itself being movable, such as a convex or concave revolving cylinder, then, of course, the

scrapers will in turn be stationary.

Referring to the engagement of the scraper with supporting body, it will be observed that while same is firm and unyielding, yet that the elasticity of the scraper itself causes either lateral extremity of its working edge to tilt in conformity to any depressing obstacle on the depositing-surface, and yet allow of its opposite end pressing against and cleaning the surface in approximately a cross plane with same, where not also thus resisted. Though I have sometimes found it desirable to connect the upper piece of the scraper with the body proper (when the two are made of separate parts) by a slot and guiding-rivet, so that by such means a tilting movement could be obtained. Thus the guide-pivot is freely movable in the elongated slot, and the upper piece works on same, so as to have a free lateral motion, which is also thus obtained along the entire cleaning-edge of the scraper.

Having thus fully described my invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is-

extremities, and thereby securing them to a.

rigid cross-bar, substantially as and for the purpose described.

In testimony that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto set my hand this 10th day of March, 1876.

PETER NEFF.

Witnesses:

REBEKAH NEFF, E. CLIFFORD NEFF. 

